Almost half of the new homes have now been built at a development on the former site of a HSBC management training college.

Vistry Group, which builds Linden Homes properties, has completed 62 of the 129 homes at Hanstead Park, off Smug Oak Lane in Bricket Wood.

Vistry, alongside Wates Developments, will deliver 107 properties for private sale and 22 affordable homes for rent or shared ownership at Hanstead Park.

Of the houses currently built, 51 are private properties and 11 are affordable homes.

The 40-acre site will eventually comprise a collection of two-bedroom apartments and three, four and five-bedroom houses. Prices start at £399,995.

St Albans & Harpenden Review: The entrance to Hanstead Park in Bricket Wood. Credit: Vistry EasternThe entrance to Hanstead Park in Bricket Wood. Credit: Vistry Eastern

Jason Colmer, sales and marketing director for Vistry Eastern, says a lot of buyers have relocated from London, drawn by the rural setting but "convenient" location of being near the M25 and M1.

He added: "Construction is progressing well at Hanstead Park and we are on course to finish on site within the next 18 months.

"We are looking forward to seeing this transformation of the HSBC’s former training centre – which the company moved out of in 2011 – into 129 much-needed new homes for the area."

As part of the planning agreement for the development, Vistry is contributing almost £1.68 million towards local services and infrastructure.

Contributions will include £446,880 to fund a six-day-a-week bus service on the site for five years, £175,000 for highway works and over £200,000 for landscaping, restoring a running track and updating equipment in a children’s play area.

The housebuilder is also providing £ 818,498 for local education, £8,008 for youth facilities and £27,465 for a library service.